Ragdoll Cat Forums

I have a vacation planned for December to Florida and yes, I know it's only September, but at this time I can't imagine leaving Sophie for 6 days and I'm stressing already! Our neighbor will be coming in most likely twice a day - morning and later in the evening - so there will be someone, but I wondering what everyone feels when they have to be away for extended periods of time. When I look at her now, it's like, I can't even go to work without thinking it's ok, I'll be home in 8 hours!

My husband and I haven't really had a long vacation in about two years, so I really want to look forward to it, but it's hard when I look into her eyes and think 6 days is way too long to be away!

What's everyone else think about this?

thanks
Carol C

Karly and I have cancelled all vacation plans for the next 16 or so years...

I am eager to hear how other folks have dealt with this. I have a trustworthy neice that lives 15 minutes away that has offered to be our rag-sitter. I know she'll do a great job, thereby reducing my stress level while away considerable.

Cheers!

- Rod

It's horrible leaving them, I felt exactly the same when we went away a couple of weeks ago for 10 days. I worried about them the whole time, but tried not to show it to my family. As it turns out they were absolutely fine. My mother in law could only come once a day, but she did stay a while and play with them. I think it's less stressful for them to stay in their own home. I'm sure Sophie will be fine

I am going out of town for a few days in October, and i am leaving Oliver with some friends who do not have any pets but fell in love with Oliver when they met him, and one or both of the couple will always be home so its a good setup. If i were you, i would try and find someone who could take her for you while you are gone. That way she won't be lonely and it will be like a vacation for her too to get to live in another house for a few days. I don't think you would have to worry about her being upset about the new location, ragdolls adapt very quickly. And who wouldn't want to "have" a ragdoll for 6 days?

You are taking the right approach. She is used to being home alone and that will not be a stress of a new environment. She will miss you, but her sense of time is not as fine tuned as yours. This is another reason multiple pets are a good idea.

lol well everyone else seems to be saying leave her at home, i guess it just depends on the cat, Oliver is almost NEVER left home alone, and he gets very upset when we leave him even just for a little while, so i am having someone take him. If Sophie does fine home alone though, then maybe the best choice would be what you are doing like JanH and peachnose said.

Carol,
I don't have any good advice for you but I understand how you feel. I have my raggie, Luca & my Maltese, Cricket. That is why I'll probably never get to go on a cruise. (I think that is why my husband wanted to get pets)

That must be so difficult. I'm blessed in that my sister comes to the house to stay with our teens, pups and kits when we are away. I went to Vegas last month for 5 days and missed Dexter sooooo much, I can't imagine how I might stress if I knew there wasn't someone with him all the time. I know that in our community there are good "pet nanny" services available, who will spend a certain amount of time a day or will make more than one visit in a day, maybe it would ease your mind if you knew someone was going to be with little Sophie for a few good stretches a day.

I have the same concerns! Many people I know do not understand my reticence to leave Valentino home alone for a trip away. One friend just told me this morning that she helped someone with their cat when they went away for a month. She went there every other day for a few minutes to leave some food and clean the litter box. To me that is utterly inhumane! I just cannot imagine leaving my pet for even a week and certainly not with that little company! It would hurt me too much to do that. Maybe once he gets his little brother and both are very comfortably settled in I could go for a weekend or something...But not yet! He's still a baby and gets 3-4 meals a day. Am I being too sensitive? Whatever...I can't help it. He is my little pal and companion and he relies on me for everything. I cannot do it!
I hope my feelings about this will subside with time...have yours?

Yes, it all depends on the cat and how the cat can be anticipated to respond to the alternatives. We have families where the cats visit relatives regularly and are as "at home" as when home. In those cases, for example, it may be best to take them to the relative's home for the time away. They can have a vacation too. ; )